MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: BlueOrchard Finance, Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO), Opportunity International Announce New CEOs

BlueOrchard Finance SA, a Swiss microfinance investment manager; Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO), a public-private partnership established by the Belgian government; and Opportunity International, a US-based nonprofit organization, all recently announced new CEOs.

The new CEO of BlueOrchard, Wolfgang Landl, has 20 years of experience in finance including senior and partner positions in Europe, the Middle East and the US at firms such as Investcorp, Man Investments and InterSec Research. BlueOrchard has approximately USD 1.1 billion under management as of December 31, 2011.

Luuk Zonneveld, the new CEO of BIO, previously served as the director of the Belgian nonprofit organization Vredeseilanden. BIO, which was established in 2001 to promote the private sector in developing countries, provides financing to microfinance institutions (MFIs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The organization has total assets of EUR 486 million (USD 600 million).

Vicki Escarra, who previously served as president and CEO of USD 1.2 billion nonprofit Feeding America, will serve as the new CEO of Opportunity International. Opportunity International, founded in 1971, provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to approximately two million poor people in 24 countries in Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. As of December 31, 2011, Opportunity International reported USD 207.8 million in total assets and 2.8 million active loans.

By Jaime Fellers, Research Associate

About BlueOrchard Finance SA:

BlueOrchard is a Switzerland-based, commercial microfinance intermediary that provides loans to microfinance institutions through its subsidiary BlueOrchard Finance SA and invests in the equity of microfinance institutions and microfinance network funds through its subsidiary BlueOrchard Investments SA. BlueOrchard has approximately USD 1.1 billion under management as of December 31, 2011. BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund had USD 330 million total assets, return on assets (ROA) of 2.6 percent, return on equity (ROE) of 16.3 percent, and 125 outstanding loans as of August 1, 2012.

About Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO):

The Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, also known by the Dutch acronym BIO, was established in 2001 by the Belgian government to promote the creation of a strong private sector in developing countries in an effort to support sustainable development and prosperity. BIO has invested in approximately 90 private sector projects and is present in nearly 60 countries. At fiscal year-end 2011, BIO had EUR 486 million (USD 600 million) in total assets.

About Opportunity International:

Based in the United States, Opportunity International is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1971. Opportunity International provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to approximately two million poor people in 24 countries in Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. As of December 31, 2011, Opportunity International reported USD 207.8 million total assets and 2.8 million active loans.

By Jaime Fellers, Research Associate

Sources and Other Resources:

[1] Information Provided to MicroCapital by BlueOrchard

[2] Press Release: BIO, “BIO appoints Luuk Zonneveld as CEO”, http://www.bio-invest.be/en/publications/press-releases/publication/70-bio-appoints-luuk-zonneveld-as-ceo.html

[3] Press Release: Opportunity International, “CEO Announcement Letter from Betty Jane Hess”, http://www.opportunity.org/blog/vicki-escarra-ceo-announcement/#.UCwWd1Fc_wy

MicroCapital.org article, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: BlueOrchard Invests $1m in Svasti Microfinance Private Limited of India,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-blueorchard-invests-1m-in…

MicroCapital.org article, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Incofin, BIO Sign $12m Agreement to Develop Early-Stage Microfinance Institutions in Africa, Latin America, Asia,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-incofin-bio-sign-12m-agreement-to-develop-early-stage-microfinance-institutions-in-africa-latin-america-asia/

MicroCapital Universe Profile: BlueOrchard

https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=BlueOrchard

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO)

https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Belgian+Investment+Company+for+Developing+Countries+%28BIO%29

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Opportunity International

https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Opportunity+International

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

 

Similar Posts: